MANNING News JOURNAL Local News
Update - Feb. 2006 Trinity Lutheran Church, located nine miles southeast of Manning, will close its doors next spring Residents working to move and preserve Trinity Lutheran Church
	Like country schools, country churches are disappearing from the countryside. In the months ahead, Trinity Lutheran Church, located in Lincoln Township nine miles southeast of Manning, will face the possibility of becoming another abandoned shell along a country road. Once supported by more than 250 members, Trinity now has a handful of members who continue to call it home, but can no longer keep the church doors open. They have resolved to make it until spring 2006 when they will celebrate the 125th anniversary of their church. Trinity will then close. Realizing the rich history of the rural church, an effort has begun to save the church and provide it with a second life. Trinity was organized in 1881 when a predominant movement of immigrant settlers came to this area from northern Germany. Some of these immigrants settled in Manning at the same time. Because of the cultural ties, Trinity Lutheran Church and the Manning Heritage Foundation have reached an agreement to move the churchto the Manning Heritage Park which reflects the historical settlement of this part of Iowa. The park is visited by tourists who arrive from around the world to visit the authentic 1660 German Hausbarn (bauernhaus) and historic Leet/Hassler Farmstead which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. The committee of Trinity and Zion Lutheran Church members have taken charge of the Trinity Relocation Project. They propose to have the church available to Christians for events which might include baptisms, weddings, funerals and church group meetings. History of the church would be displayed in the basement, and it would also be available daily for public tours. Dan Peters, who is heading the project, said, “Extensive planning has gone into this, and a lot of things have to be decided before that church marches up the road.” Preliminary plans call for an appropriate site to be prepared to receive the structure within the park. Tom Dunbar of Dunbar Jones Engineering has visited the site and is preparing a proposal. “His plan will show how they perceive the best use of the space and factor in sidewalks, landscaping, parking, access road. He designed a heritage park master plan some years ago,” said Peters. Fundraising has begun with a push to have funding in hand by the end of the year. Contracting would be lined up for work to begin in April. A site would be prepared with basement dug and ready for a mid-May move. The goal is to have Trinity at home in its new location by June 15, 2006. “That’s my idea of the schedule,” he stated. “Estimated cost for the project is $100,000. Six movers are interested in bidding for the work. We’d like to know by Dec. 31 if we have sufficient funds so the project can be confirmed.” Possible grant monies are being explored and if sufficient funds cannot be raised for the project, donations will be returned to contributors. Peters said the members of Trinity have given the church to the Manning Heritage Foundation. His committee is taking responsibility for completing the project and is factoring in future financial responsibility for maintenance of the church. Anyone interested in helping to save the historic church may send tax-deductible contributions payable to “TLC Relocation.” Checks may be sent to TLC Relocation, PO Box 211, Manning, IA 51455. Donations of $500 or more will be permanently acknowledged at the new location. Gifts may also be given in memory, or in honor of loved ones. Committee contact people include Rick Lohrmann (712-655-2411), Robert Hansen (712-653-2040), Denny Grimm (712-653-3812) and Peters (712-655-3041). They are distributing brochures which outline the project and include a contribution form. For a brochure or more information, persons may call any of the committee members. Peters can be contacted online at danlois@longlines.com.
Church history With a towering steeple to mark a place of worship on the Iowa prairie, Trinity Lutheran Church is typical of the rural churches built more than a century ago. Located nine miles southeast of Manning in Lincoln Township, Trinity Lutheran Church served the rural area for nearly 125 years. Trinity was organized in 1881 when a predominant movement of immigrants came to Iowa from northern Germany, settling in the area surrounding Manning. Lutherans in Lincoln Township began conducting services in a school house. They constructed and dedicated their first church in 1884. The church was quickly outgrown and rebuilt in 1901. It served the congregation until 1913 when the church and its contents were destroyed by a tornado in March 1913. The faithful congregation immediately reconstructed their church to minimize any disruption of their worship. The church was built in six months and dedicated in October 1913. The structure stands today on the same location and reflects, generally, the same design as the church which was destroyed. Records indicate Trinity was the church home, at one time, for over 280 members, and through the years hundreds of baptisms, confirmations, weddings and funerals were performed. For more history of the church see davidkusel.com
	To support this effort and make a contribution you can download a response form. Your support will be appreciated. Photos courtesy Pam Kusel Chuck Signs David Kusel	Return to front page